"The odour thereof is abroad already," said Colonel Cromwell. "Have we not tansy pudding overoften, Bridget?"
A look of distress flushed the serene face of the young housekeeper.
"It is so difficult since the war began to vary the dishes," she answered. "All commodities are so high in price and so scarce."
"I spoke lightly, dear," interrupted her father hastily. "Trouble not thy mind with this matter."
A knock sounded. Bridget Cromwell opened the door and admitted Lord Manchester, curtsied with great simplicity, then turned into the parlour, bearing with her the frail light of the taper.
The two gentlemen followed her.
"You have heard that John Pym is dead?" asked my lord abruptly.
"But to-day, though it is a week ago. But the roads have been impossible."
"It is," said Lord Manchester, "very rough marching in the fen country."